I've watched her growing up--day by day--year
after year into--just what I was--ages ago,--and to-day she
is--almost as beautiful,--and--very nearly as clever!"
"Clever, mam? So she is, but I'm her guardian and--she loves
me--I think, and--"
"Of course she loves you, Jack, and winds you round her finger
whenever she chooses--"
"Finger, mam! finger indeed! No, mam, I can be firm with her."
"As a candle before the fire, Jack. She can bend you to all the
points of your compass. Come now, she brought you here this
afternoon against your will,--now didn't she?"
"Ah!--hum!" said the Captain, scratching his chin.
"And coaxed you into your famous Trafalgar uniform, now didn't she?"
"Why as to that, mam, I say--"
"And petted you into staying here much longer than you intended, now
didn't she?"
"Which reminds me that it grows late, mam," said the Captain, taking
out his watch and frowning at it. "I must find my ward. I say I will
bring Cleone to make you her adieux." So saying, he bowed and strode
away across the lawn.
"Poor Jack," smiled the Duchess, "he is such a dear, good, obedient
child, and he doesn't know it.
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